Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 18th Mar 26 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dry overall, clear hills and sunny, thin high cloud for Scotland. A zone of cloudier skies and some varied fog from the Borders to northeast Pennines. Warmer further southwards, sunny but hazy views, some early valley fog in Wales & Peak District. Light winds for most places, breezier in south Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Dry, sunshine, local early fog, some cloud east. Light winds.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less morning and middle of day. During afternoon becoming mainly southerly, increasing a little to 10-15mph in places.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Patchy fog in glens from dawn and some fragments of cloud around hill slopes briefly in morning, but some areas clear. Any fog dissipating to leave hills generally clear, possibly brief patchy cloud at times Deeside tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% Deeside, above 90% most areas
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C to start, coolest on northern slopes, rising gradually, to 5C in places; least change around Deeside.
Freezing Level
1200m from dawn, plus patchy frost some glens at first; rising just above freezing to the highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 20th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 18th Mar 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 20mph, may increase a little and become gustier afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but locally feeling more noticeable in exposure.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little
Patchy fog in glens at first, lifting into patchy cloud on some slopes, mainly toward the southwest, but largely dispersing through middle of day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some thin cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 6C, some cooler spots at first, then some slightly warmer spots by afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frost in glens and some sheltered higher areas at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 21st March 2026
Last updated
Wed 18th Mar 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 15 to 20mph, perhaps gustier 25mph for periods around higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, occasionally may feel more noticeably gusty higher areas.
How Wet?
Precipitation rare if any
Possible light spots in the wind mainly toward Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly western tops
Banks of cloud mostly 900m upward, most extensive western Cairngorms and Monadhliath. Cloud higher and well broken eastwards, may be very little and largely clear toward Deeside & Lochnagar.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun and high cloud, may cloud over from west for a time. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C, may rise slightly higher in east.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but patchy frost in glens and some sheltered higher areas around dawn.
Planning Outlook
High pressure stays nearby toward the weekend, although retreats to allow west-southwesterly winds to move into Scotland, bringing more cloud to the northwest and some drizzle on Saturday, though most places remain dry. By Sunday, stronger westerly winds and a front passing eastwards with a spell of rain followed by lowering temperatures and showers with snow and hail over the hills in Scotland. A chilly start to the new week, near or below freezing over higher mountains, particularly Scotland. Changeable westerlies during next week, windy for all at times, showery conditions most common in western Scotland. High pressure to the south may rebuild to settle things again.